Contact tracing training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-National Capital Region was launched Friday with 25 pioneer students to begin training by Monday.
TESDA-NCR through the MuntiParLasTaPat District Training and Assessment Center formally opened Contact Tracing Level II Training Program.
TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña led the launching with Deputy Director General for Operations Lina Sarmiento, TESDA-NCR Regional Director Florencio Sunico Jr., MuntiParLasTaPat District Director Atty. Balmyrson Valdez, and the 25 pioneer students who will start their training.
"As the government continues to pursue aggressive testing, tracing, and treatment as among the strategies to fight COVID-19, TESDA welcomes the opportunity to be of service and at the frontline of these efforts, along with the Department of Health and other partner agencies like the local government units and the Red Cross," Lapeña said.
Addressing the trainees, the TESDA chief stressed the importance of focus and active participation in their classes.
"Your role as contact tracers is very crucial. Your speed and competence in contact tracing will be one of our effective instruments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country," he added.
Lapeña expressed his optimism that other regions and provinces will follow and start opening their own Contact Tracing Training Programs in the next few weeks.
TESDA will provide each trainee with P2,400 for the whole training duration or P160 per day as a training support fund, with P500 for PPE and another P500 for their mobile data.
Most of the trainees are caregiving graduates and other health-related qualifications coming from the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, and municipality of Pateros.
Contact Tracing Level II Training Program lasts for 15 days or 120 hours of full-online mode of training delivery with eight hours of training per day.